Minimising tissue damage after heart attack or stroke

Cambridge scientists have identified a novel way to prevent tissue damage following a heart attack or stroke. Dr Thomas Krieg, Dr Michael Murphy, Victoria Pell, and others have discovered that the tissue damage is caused by a build-up of a chemical called succinate after a blood clot is dislodged and blood flows back into the heart or brain.

Knowing the cause of tissue and organ damage is hoped to lead to an effective treatment that would improve lives of millions of patients. A pilot study has been funded by the BHF Cambridge Centre of Excellence to test a novel technique that - if successful - will be used to investigate the effectiveness of drug and other treatment strategies.